Poll: Americans prefer Obama's views to GOP's

President's stances on issues like deficit, immigration give him edge

11:23 PM,
Feb. 20, 2013

Written by

Susan Page
| USA Today

President Barack Obama starts his second term with a clear upper hand over GOP leaders on issues from guns to immigration that are likely to dominate the year, a USA Today/Pew Research Center poll finds. On the legislation rated most urgent - cutting the budget deficit - even a majority of Republican voters endorse Obama's approach of seeking tax increases as well as spending cuts.

The survey underscores the quandary for the GOP as it debates the party's message in the wake of disappointing losses last November for the White House and in the Senate.